Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts Launches “10 for Tomorrow” Capital Campaign to Establish Community Arts Center in South St. Petersburg
Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts announced the launch of its “10 for Tomorrow” Capital Campaign, an initiative to acquire and transform a property in South St. Petersburg into the Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts Community Arts Center, a new performing arts and education hub dedicated to youth, creativity, and community opportunity, with a goal of $10 million.
The campaign comes at a pivotal moment for the organization. Bill Edwards and his organization, Big 3, will be concluding their management of the Mahaffey Theater at approximately the end of May. The Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts will continue the city’s Class Acts program at the Mahaffey Theater and, in addition, expand its mission to provide arts education opportunities for children throughout the Tampa Bay region.
The proposed Community Arts Center will serve as the Foundation’s permanent home and a vibrant destination for year-round programming. The facility will expand access to the arts while creating a dynamic pipeline connecting neighborhood participation with professional performance opportunities…
Bev Jennings of SEE Company Inc. Named Among ‘Top 50 Women Leaders of Jacksonville’ by Women We Admire
Bev Jennings, Founder & CEO of SEE Company Inc., has been selected as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Jacksonville by Women We Admire, a national organization that recognizes accomplished women executives across major metropolitan areas for their leadership, impact, and professional excellence.
Jennings joins an esteemed group of 50 women recognized for their ability to lead with purpose and deliver results in complex, high-impact environments. Through her work as Founder & CEO of SEE Company Inc., Jennings has built a respected platform focused on leadership development, organizational effectiveness, and a commitment to helping individuals and organizations “See Everyone Elevate®.”
Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts Supports Student Wellness with Mahaffey Class Acts Program
The Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts continues its Mahaffey Class Acts education series with How to Survive Middle School, a timely and engaging performance for students in grades 5–8, taking place February 9 at 11:15 AM at the Duke Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater.
Blending humor, multimedia, and real-life student voices, How to Survive Middle School addresses critical issues facing today’s youth, including bullying, social media pressures, testing anxiety, peer pressure, and mental health. With a 60-minute runtime, the program is designed to be honest, relatable, and impactful for middle school audiences.
Comedian Robert Post, who struggled through middle school due to learning disabilities, uses comedy to build connection and resilience. Through video testimonials, advocacy stories, and Post’s signature humor, the production allows students to hear directly from peers while learning healthy ways to navigate challenges.
Exclusive Executive Roundtable to Convene Founders and CEOs in Orlando for High-Level Growth Strategy Discussion
A select group of founders and CEOs will gather in Orlando for a private, invitation-only Insider’s Executive Roundtable, a confidential peer forum designed to help senior leaders create a multiple six-figure differentiator to land larger corporate contracts.
The roundtable will take place on January 26, 2026, from 1:00–3:00 PM at the National Entrepreneur Center, 3201 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando (Fashion Square Mall). Attendance is limited to 13 executives to ensure a focused, high-impact conversation among peers.
This no-fee, no-selling forum is structured around candid, real-world discussion. Participants will exchange insights on what is—and is not—working in corporate sales conversations, while sharpening a clear, high-value market distinction that helps decision-makers engage faster and with greater confidence.
The session will be facilitated by Chala Dincoy, a former Fortune 500 marketing executive with more than 20 years of experience on the corporate buying side. Drawing on her background at global brands including Pepsi, Pizza Hut, Frito-Lay, Diageo, Playtex, and BIC, Dincoy brings a rare insider perspective on how corporate buyers evaluate, select, and engage professional service providers. Her work today supports clients across the U.S. and internationally, advising organizations navigating complex, global markets.
Gasparilla Arts Leads Community Collaboration to Unveil New East Tampa Mural Honoring Women’s History
Gasparilla Arts, in collaboration with community, cultural, and educational partners, will officially unveil a new public mural honoring the women who have shaped East Tampa’s history during a free community celebration on January 22.
The mural is located at the Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa’s Chloe Coney Urban Enterprise Center, at 1907 E. Hillsborough Avenue. It will be celebrated with an on-site unveiling event from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend, and RSVP is encouraged.
Spearheaded by Gasparilla Arts as part of its ongoing commitment to public art, cultural storytelling, and community engagement, the project represents a true collaboration from concept to completion. The mural was designed by acclaimed artist Michelle Sawyer, with historical guidance provided by Fred Hearns of the Tampa Bay History Center, ensuring the artwork authentically reflects East Tampa’s rich legacy.
Epicurean Hotel to Feature 2026 Class of Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts’ Local Artists Spotlight Program
The Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts (GFA) and Epicurean Hotel are proud to announce a new collaboration celebrating Tampa Bay’s vibrant creative community. On Saturday, January 17, 2026, from 6:30 8:30 PM, Epicurean Theatre will host an opening reception of a special preview exhibition featuring the 2026 Class of GFA’s Local Artist Spotlight Program.
Supported by a grant from the Gobioff Foundation, the Local Artist Spotlight Program annually recognizes five exceptional Tampa Bay–based artists, awarding each a complimentary booth to exhibit and sell their work at the Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, occurring in 2026 on February 28–March 1. Participating artists also receive expanded visibility through GFA’s marketing and social media channels.
